The 19 best things to do in Antigua & Barbuda

1. Rent a car and get lost

I always say that the best way to explore a country is by renting a car and driving around. It couldn’t be a more appropriate statement when it comes to Antigua. The island is tiny and you can drive around in one day if you wouldn’t want to stop every 5 minutes to admire its beauty.

There is such a variety of landscapes in such a little space that will blow your mind. The local transportation is not reliable and not really suitable for exploring around. There are also many amazing tours that I will explain in a bit.

But I would definitely rent a car in Antigua for a few days to explore the spectacular Antigua beaches and all the secret spots (which won’t be so secrets anymore if you read my guide. 🙂

You can read my thorough guide about driving in Antigua if you are undecided or concerned. You will see how easy it is how to make the most of your time.

2. Spend the day on one of the spectacular Antigua beaches, especially this one

I couldn’t stress enough how beautiful Antigua beaches are, the white soft sand, the rolling hills as a backdrop, the turquoise ocean, and the lack of crowds altogether are what make Antigua beaches so unique.

I have created a dedicated post on the best beaches in Antigua with so much detailed information to keep it as a precious guide for your trip.

I have to tell you though, that my favorite remains Half Moon Bay, so called because it’s shaped like a giant half-moon and it will magically appear to you while you are driving there, which is where you should stop and take a panoramic shot.

I used to spend most of my days off there and it never gets boring. Let me know how you liked it too.

Turner’s beach is also a popular spot where to spend a day basking in the sun and having a great lunch.

3. Watch the sunset at Shirley Heights (especially on a Sunday)

This is a local and tourist favorite weekly appointment when they all gather on Shirley heights lookout, a former military building that it’s now a bar and restaurant overlooking the bay of English and Falmouth Harbour.

The scene is spectacular and it became the iconic image of Antigua & Barbuda postcards.

The point is to be there by sunset and admire the sun disappearing on the horizon on the spectacular bay at the rhythm of local and international music.

Delicious local food and the famous Antiguan Rum punch, for a better dance performance, are served.

It’s open from 4 to 10.00 pm.
You shouldn’t miss it.

4. Take a one-day trip to Barbuda

Known for its pink sand and for being home to one the largest colonies of Frigate birds, Barbuda is Antigua’s little sister island that deserves to be seen at least once. There are two ways to visit.

• join a daily catamaran tour, where you will visit the bird sanctuary first and then land on a pristine pinkish beach to spend the rest of your day and have lunch
• Take the ferry boat, Barbuda Express, and let Capitan Greg take you to Barbuda, where you will be free to move around and enjoy the island at your own pace.

5. Join a sailing lesson

In Antigua sailing is The Thing! In fact, one of the main events in Antigua is Sailing Week, which is normally at the end of April and it marks the end of the high season. As you can imagine the island is not short of sailing schools.

One of them is Ondeck Sailing, whose office is located in English Harbour, just above the Marina docks, one of my favorite places to hang out.

If you don’t feel like learning but you love to feel the breeze on your face and let the wind take you around the island I suggest you should join some of the sailing tours, especially at sunset.

If you wish to have a romantic private tour on a sailing boat it is also available. You should either ask the reception of your hotel or check out at the Jolly Harbour or English Harbour Marina office.

They will definitely put you in contact with a private operator.

6. Visit the donkey sanctuary

If you are particularly fond of animals, you might want to check out the Human Society,  an animal welfare organization committed to rescuing all the endangered animals of Antigua & Barbuda.

They have quite a big population of donkeys which you normally see roaming around the island.

However, those who get injured or fell sick end up here where they get good and loving care from the volunteers.

The entrance is free but they accept donations or you can even adopt a donkey.

Many tours of the island make a stop here but if you rent a car you can go on your own and you will be very well received by the kind staff. You will be able to brush them or pet them and help out.

It’s not only a great educational and entertaining stop for kids, but also for us, who have always something to learn from our furry friends.

7. Join a hiking and biking trip off the beaten track

Did I mention that Antigua is not only about the beach? With such a diverse territory you can find amazing hikes in the tropical forest, right in the middle of the island where also the Canopy tour starts. They have great trails too.

Otherwise, you can join an organized hiking tour. This company offers a great kayaking biking and hiking adventure for some fun outdoor activities. You definitely won’t get bored.

The more adventurous will have lots of extra fun by joining a mud buggy tour.

8. Enjoy one of the local restaurants on the beach

Antigua is brimming with local restaurants that serve authentic genuine food. Turner Beach is one of the best beaches in Antigua where they also serve fantastic food at the homonym restaurant. It was one of my Sunday appointments.

For dinner, for a simple yet delicious local meal, I would go to Denni’s or Hemingway’s.

9. Get pampered in one of the most exclusive hotels on the Island

Antigua is considered a high-end destination with so many world-class hotels that makes it a very hard task to choose the best one. I am particularly fond of Hermitage bay, but you should check out my posts on the best Antigua All-inclusive hotels to explore more options and see which one resonates more with your style.

10. Take a walk around St John’s, Antigua’s capital city

The colorful pretty city, capital, and port of Antigua & Barbuda is definitely worth a visit. Among the things to do in St. John’s Antigua, you will love to walk around the colorful shops of Redcliffe Quay, the best place to find a souvenir to take home.

Continue onto St. Mary Street and keep walking along the local busy streets, get ice cream or stop by the Roty King restaurant if it’s lunchtime to try one of the delicious local delicacies.

To get acquainted with Antigua’s history, head to St. John’s Cathedral, a 19th-century Anglican church, on a hill near the 17th-century Government House. A monument to the nation’s founder, V.C. Bird is next to the Public Market, which sells crafts and products.

Not far away you can check out the Museum of Antigua as well, to learn a little more about the island’s history.

If you have a car or by taxi head just out of town, towards Dickenson Bay and stop by Fort James, one of the many forts built by the British in the 18th century. On Fort James, there is now a lovely restaurant called Russel’s Bar and Seafood where, besides delicious food and great ocean views, you might find jazz music playing during dinner time, on some nights.

11. Learn about the Caribbean Cuisine

Caribbean cuisine is one of the richest and strongest in flavors, and is very spicy. Although it’s very similar throughout the Caribbean, each island has its own secrets and signature dishes.

If you wish to find out about the delicious plates you might have tried during your vacation in Antigua, you can join one (or more) of these series of cooking workshops, 4 hours each, and in small groups.

You will create a delicious 3-course meal and cocktails from start to finish with your instructor, Nicole, and then enjoy the fruits of your labor with views of the Caribbean Sea.

12. Join Eli’s original Eco Tours

This boat eco-tour is one of the most popular tours in Antigua to discover the natural world, from rock formations to abundant sea life, it will be a beautiful sea adventure in the North Sound region where there are 22 uninhabited pristine offshore islands. 

It’s a great opportunity to connect with nature and to learn about the ecosystems & the history of the different islands in this protected area, including the turtle project at Jumby Bay, the reef ball system at Maiden Island, the beautiful and important Mangrove system of Guiana Island & much more.

During the tour, you will enjoy two snorkeling sessions (& a snorkel lesson for those who need it) along with a nature walk/hike to the top of Bird Island where you might get a chance to see one of our indigenous & endangered (nonpoisonous) Antigua Racer Snake.

You will also visit Hells Gate Island for a snorkel or a climb through a small cave-like structure that goes through the island & comes out over a natural bridge on top – seeing the Atlantic Ocean on one side & Caribbean Sea on the other.

The professional and knowledgeable team of Adventure Antigua will make sure you have a blast on this full-day boat tour.

Eli also has one of my favorite boat trips on the island the Xtreme tour which circumnavigated Antigua and takes you to the hidden beach of Randevouz bay.

13. Take a zip line ride into the jungle and a kayaking tour combo

These are going to be 6 hours packed with spectacular outdoor activities, starting from Zip lining, with 8 rides in the jungle, then kayaking among the mangroves into the sea, and finally snorkeling into the pristine Caribbean waters. A delicious meal completes the amazing experience in nature.

Book your Zip Line & Kayaking tour.

14. Go Kitesurfing or take Kite lessons

Antigua is also one of the best destinations to practice kitesurfing or learning. There are many different kite schools, all great.

One is Jabberwock kite school based on the homonymous beach, close to the airport.

Another company, 40knots operates in Green Island instead, another spectacular spot in Antigua off the touristy lane.

15. Visit the historical Nelson’s Dockyard at English Harbor

Antigua is full of interesting spots that remind us of the local history and culture and Nelson Dockyard is one of the most iconic areas of the island.

The original British maritime hub has now been fully restored and working Dockyard home to amazing boats, and a strategic location of different restaurants and stores. Although equipped with modern facilities it still conserves the historical feel, its main appeal.

The site has been proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its historical importance and most of all not to forget that “The construction and operation of the Antigua Naval Dockyard were made possible through the labor and skills of enslaved Africans, whose contribution was crucial for the establishment of the facility and, more widely, for the development of the British Empire, trade and industrialization”. source

It’s now a very popular place to visit in Antigua, with many activities to enjoy and the venue of many local events.

The Dockyard Museum, located in the former Admiral’s House, presents visitors with exhibits regarding the Dockyard’s history and current archaeological research on the island.

Inside the Nelson Dockyard, you can also find the Copper and Lumber Store Hotel an iconic hotel that conserves a unique victorian feel.

You can visit Nelson Dockyard on your own, really don’t need a tour. You can drive there or get a taxi, just make sure you agree on the pickup time as I don’t recall seeing any taxis there.

If you go during the day you can also enjoy one of the beautiful beaches (Pigeon Beach) and a world-class meal in one of the restaurants in English Harbour, go for a walk to the marina, or a hike to the surrounding hills overlooking the bay.

It is also close to the popular Shirley Heights about which I talked earlier in this post.

16. Enjoy a world-class dinner at The Inn

The Inn at English Harbour is one of my favorite hotels in Antigua, an elegant 5-star resort, one of the few NON-all-inclusive, located on a private beach close to the English Harbor.

Its world-class restaurant offers a magical atmosphere with views over the bay and fine Italian dishes.

It’s very romantic but I assure you, even if you travel solo, you will definitely enjoy a fine meal in such a location.

17. Spend a day on Long Bay Beach

Among all the beautiful beaches in Antigua, Long bay beach by the Pineapple hotel is a special one for one main reason. It’s really one of the few where you can snorkel from the shore on the right side of the beach.

The beach is public plus there is a big hotel right on the left side so it can become quite crowded, especially on a Sunday.

I would choose a weekday for an amazing day on the beach. You will also find a little restaurant if you want to grab a drink or a quick lunch.

18. Take a selfie at Devil’s Bridge

One of the most dramatic natural scenes in Antigua, the most loved by photographers, after Shirley’s Height’s lookout.

It’s basically a natural bridge carved into the rocks by the power of crashing waves, on the ocean side of the island. Definitely worth a visit, but don’t walk on it. 🙂

If you join the Island Safari tour, that includes also a stop at devil’s bridge, among other Antigua historic landmarks.

19. Watch the Antigua Sailing Week

Antigua Sailing Week is the event of the year, where sail lovers and professionals of the world gather in Antigua to compete in this event that has been on for the past 51 years.

There are different events during this week where you can see a showcase of the most beautiful boats in the world and of course lots of parties and gatherings. It’s normally the last week of April.

You can also apply here to become part of the crew of one of the racing boats.

Read more about the race.